Applications will be accepted June 1 through Sept. 30. For applications, grant guidelines and more details, visit bit.ly/1mKsF5B.

This year, across Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, $150,000 total will be awarded in grants to organizations that specifically focus on providing and promoting oral health care for children and adults, particularly in underserved and at-risk populations.

Bridges to Health, based in Marion, Indiana was a 2015 recipient of a Brighter Futures Community Grant. Through the funding provided by the Delta Dental Foundation, the organization was able to purchase restorative and preventative equipment and supplies, enabling their staff to consult and treat patients with individualized treatment plans.

“The grant also allowed for the purchase of a desperately needed ultra-sonic cleaner that was vital to the operation of the dental clinic,” said Pamela Clem, social worker at Bridges to Health. “Because of this grant, we can continue to treat uninsured dental patients broadening the population we serve.”

In 2012, Delta Dental introduced Brighter Futures, an initiative dedicated to improving oral health for all children and adults through early education, advocacy and philanthropy. In particular, Delta Dental is committed to increasing awareness about the importance of good oral health and helping improve a person’s oral and overall health and well-being.

“At the Delta Dental Foundation, we are continually looking to support those communities and local programs that make a difference by improving or promoting good oral health,” said Teri Battaglieri, director, Delta Dental Foundation. “We know good oral health is critically linked to overall health, so by increasing access to dental care and educating children and adults about the importance of good oral health, we can ensure more people receive the quality care they need to be healthy.”

Upon submission, Delta Dental will evaluate each application based on factors such as the program’s focus on children, potential value to the community, measurable results and the level of local community support it attracts.

About Delta Dental Foundation
The Delta Dental Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 1980, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. The Foundation’s goals are to support education and research for the advancement of dental science, and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs. For more information, visit www.deltadentalmi.com/ddf.